Exploring Sweden

This summer, Jönköping University (JU) is offering a dose of inspiration. Every week, staff from different parts of JU share their top summer tips – everything from hidden gems and day-trip destinations to personal favourites for relaxation and that holiday feeling. This tip comes from Ulrika Stjerndahl, Quality Coordinator at the School of Education and Communication.

What are your plans for this summer?

For me, summer starts early because I live by Lake Vättern and cycle between Huskvarna and Jönköping every day. Enjoying flowers in bloom, the scent of plants, the odd gentle shower of rain, and the warming sun – that’s what summer means to me (picture 1 in the slideshow below).

During the holidays, we’re going to cycle the Göta Canal route from Motala to Mem and back. It’ll be a week spent in the company of good friends, with plenty of laughter, singing and a game of Gin Rummy.

Do you have a favourite spot in Jönköping or the surrounding area?

Take your bike out for some summer day trips. Cycle via Rosenlundsbankarna and then seek out the little swimming spots between Rosenlund and Oset. You can take a quick dip there. Some places are quite hard to reach, but that’s all part of the adventure (picture 2 in the slideshow below). Then cycle on to Mjölkafållan in Huskvarna and enjoy a ‘Bernts Specialare’ at Huskvarnagrillen – a real classic! Afterwards, you can stroll along the Esplanade and enjoy the beautiful flowerbeds and words of wisdom by Alf Henriksson (picture 3 in the slideshow below). Round off your day out with a visit to Österängen Art Gallery and enjoy some exciting art (picture 4 in the slideshow below).

What’s your best summer tip?

To explore Sweden!

Challenge yourself by taking a 4.5 km zipline ride in Klavreström, just outside Vetlanda. It really is a heart-stopping but incredibly cool experience (picture5 in the slideshow below).

Take a trip to Älmhult! On your way down to Älmhult, it’s well worth stopping off at Vandalorum – the museum of art and design. They always have exciting exhibitions and a brilliant lunch! Then check into the world’s only IKEA hotel and book a table at IKEA’s Grillen restaurant – great value and fine dining all in one. Surprisingly good! Then wake up and explore the IKEA Museum, brimming with nostalgia and history (picture 6 in the slideshow below). On the way home, stop off in Virestad to shop for clothes at Langes. An unlikely shop right in the middle of the Småland forest.

One of the most beautiful areas I’ve visited in Sweden is the High Coast area. It’s quite a journey to get there, but definitely worth it. Over the course of a few days, you can hike along the trails by the High Coast Bridge and Skuleberget, contemplate the Ådalen 31 monument in Lunde, enjoy Rotsidan with its kilometres of flat rock slabs and the fishing village of Bönhamn, and marvel at the local historical play ‘Höga Kusten’ by Thomas Ledin at the Höga Kusten Open-Air Theatre and the breathtakingly beautiful view over Nordingrå. Make sure you stay at Hotell Kramm in Kramfors – the journey between these different attractions and the hotel means you’ll get to see a quite a bit of the High Coast area (picture 7 in the slideshow below).

You can round off this summer with an open-air concert amidst the beautiful countryside at Ribbingsnäs, just outside Forserum. The choir I sing in, Kristine Chamber Choir, is taking part in the concert version of Kristina from Duvemåla alongside artists such as Matilda Ambré, Sonny Enell and Linnea Henriksson (picture 8 in the slideshow below)

I wish you a happy and wonderful summer in our beautiful country!